Chapter 596
“What’s wrong?” Gregory’s low chuckle came from just ahead.
Anathea looked up and realized he’d leaned in just to hang his apron back on the hook behind her. And here she was, thinking…
“Nothing,” she said stiffly as she turned her head away.
The next second, Gregory gently took her chin and turned her face back toward him. Before she could react, he pressed a soft peck to her lips.
“Morning.” Smiling, he slid her plate of breakfast in front of her. Eat while it’s hot. We’ll head out right after.”
Anathea opened her mouth like she wanted to say something, but in the end, she just quietly started eating.
After breakfast, they drove toward Roy’s house.
The sky had turned gray again, and a light rain began to fall.
When they arrived at the location, Gregory got out with an umbrella in hand and circled around to open her door. Offering his hand, he said, “Watch your step.”
Anathea opened her own umbrella and walked toward Roy’s house
Martin took the lead, knocking on the door. “Anyone home?”
He called out for a while before a young man finally came to the door. “Who are you?”
“We’re clients of Mr. Baxter, here to discuss a potential partnership,” Martin replied calmly.
“Partnership? But he left over an hour ago. He rented the house out to me long–term.”
“Long–term?” Anathea and Gregory exchanged a glance, both realizing something was off.
Roy was trying to run.
“Did he tell you where he was going?” Martin pressed.
“No. Don’t ask me.” The young man shut the door in their faces without hesitation.
“Where would he go?” Anathea hadn’t expected Roy to be this cautious.
Gregory glanced at the tire tracks on the ground and quickly came to a conclusion. “This way.”
He jumped into the car, and Anathea followed, slamming the door shut. With a sharp turn, they sped off toward the east.
“What if he’s already too far ahead?” Anathea’s tone was tight with worry. If they lost him now, finding him again wouldn’t be
easy.
“He won’t be. With this weather and the road conditions, he can’t go fast.”
While Gregory drove, he got on the phone and ordered Martin to call in more backup.
Anathea clenched her hands as she kept her eyes on the road ahead. Finally, half an hour later, just as they turned onto the mountain highway, a van came into view up ahead.
“Is it that one?” she asked, eyes lighting up.
Gregory hit the gas and shot forward, tailing the van without hesitation.
The people in the van ahead must’ve noticed they were being tailed, because it suddenly sped up in an attempt to lose them.
That confirmed it for Anathea. “It’s him!”
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Chapter 596
But the winding roads and the rain made it hard to accelerate. The asphalt was slick and dangerous.
Anathea held her breath, anxiety tightening her chest.
+25 BONUS
“Don’t worry.” Gregory drove steadily. His gaze was calm and focused on the van ahead. “Moments like this are all about keeping your cool.”
At the same time, he flicked on the headlights and tapped the horn few times. Sure enough, it rattled Roy. He sped up, and right at a sharp turn, the van lost traction.
It skidded, slammed into the inner wall of the mountain, and started to slow down.
“This is it!” Anathea’s heart pounded. They were finally going to catch him.
But then, a deafening crash sounded.
Anathea’s eyes went wide. The section of the mountain that Roy’s van had hit was collapsing!
The road ahead began to crack and collapse at a speed visible to the naked eye. Chunks of concrete broke apart and fell away, turning the once–smooth highway into a gaping abyss.
“Oh shit!”
Gregory reacted fast, throwing the car into reverse. But it was already too late.
When nature struck, there was nothing a human could do.
Anathea felt her breath catch.
In just a few seconds, the collapsing mountainside came crashing down in a torrent of mud and debris, burying their car completely.
The vehicle was crushed under the weight. Its frame twisted beyond recognition as the violent impact hit them full force.
Anathea’s heart nearly stopped.
Gregory had already unbuckled his seatbelt. He dove forward, throwing his arms around her and shielding her with his entire body.
With a shattering boom, the car tumbled and slammed into the sand and rubble below. The impact knocked both of them unconscious.
Inside the sealed, crumpled space, it felt like they were buried alive in a coffin underground.
Chapter 597
